Conductor support



Nov. 12, 1929. w. SCHAAKE 1,735,131

CONDUCTOR SUPPORT Filed. Nov. 6, 1928 INVENTOR %7Z &wz 5&

AJFTORNEY Patented Nov. 12, 1929 i UN TED STATES nLncrnrosz MANUFACTURING, COMPANY, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA CONDUCTOR surror r Applicationifiled November 6, 1928. Serial No. 317,538

My invention relates generally to supporting devices for trolley conductors and more particularlyfto adjust-able inclined hangers for supporting conductor clamps permanent- 1y in vertical positions.

'1 When the catenary principle is employed in the construction of trolley conductor system, wherein the conductor 'is suspen'dedfroma messen er cable, provision must be made to -1"o support-thetrolley-conductor on the "curved portio'n's'of the system in such manner as to cause it to assume a curved path even though themessenger-cable extends in straight'lines betweenpredetermined suspension points.

1' Furthermore, it is desirable to support the conductor clamps in such manner as to retain them in Vertical positions, regardless of the inclination of the supporting rods whichare attached to the me'ssengercable, in order that the operation of {the trolleyor currentcollectorshall not be interfered with in any way.

7 The object of my invention is to provide a conductor support which shall beof simple construction, economical to manufacture and easi y installed and adjustedtothe'desired v zkina e M l A ore specific object "of my inventioniis to provide for supporting atrolleymonductor clamp and retaining the clampin a vertical position,fregardless," of the angular relation between it and the supporting rod, A furt ferebj ctof my i lvention is toprovide, inafcoiiductor support, a pivotal connection between'the supporting rod and the conductor clamp which 'shall be adjustable to control the relative angular relations of the rod and the clamp. M

Other objects ofmyinvention will become evident from the following description, taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

, Figure leis a side view ofa conductor support embodying the features of my invention, showinga single current conductor supported from a messenger cable; I I Fig. Qis anendview of the conductor support shown in Fig. 1, showing-details of con- *Figs'land are side and end views, re-

spectivlyfof a double conductor clamp embodying the same features of construction as those shown in Figs. land 2. I

a Referring now to the drawing, 1 designates generally a conductor clamp comprising a plurality of clamp members 2 and 3. In order to provide for securely holding a trolley conductor 4, the lower edges of the clamp members are provided with jaws 5 and 6 which, according to the usual practice are shaped to conform to the shape of the trolley conductor and extend throughout the length of the clamp members. i I "It will be observed that Figs. 1 and 2 show a particular form of clamp suitable for supporting only 'asingle conductor, while that shovvninFigs. 3 and 4 is provided with auxiliary jaws 7 and 8 on'the upper edges of the clamp members by means of which a second conductor may be supported'in'close parallel relationto the lower conductor which is engagedby the collector device. Since the same features of my invention are found in both forms of clampswhich are shown, only that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 will be'referred to in thedetailed description.

"Theconductor-clamp lmay be supported from a messenger cable: 9 by any'suitable meanspln this embodimentof the invention, a supporting-rod 10, havinga hook portion: ll'for engaging the messenger-cable 9,

is provided.

*In order to securethe clamp members2 and 3 to the trolley conductor 4', they are provided with registering transverse holes to receive a tie-b0lt'12, as shown. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the "bolt 12 is struction permits the drawing of the clamp members 2 and 3, tightly together by means of a nut 13. Furthermore, by being in threadedatone-end to engage the internally threaded portion of the clampingmember 2. It will'readily be .understood that this conthreaded engagement with the back clamp member 2, the"bolt 12 is easily adjusted to change its transverse position withresp'ect to the clamps andthereby perform a function whichwill be referred to in detail hereinafter." l It-will readily'be understood that it is high- 1y desirable to maintain the clamp 1 in a vertical position, regardless of the inclination of the supporting rod and still provide flexibilit in the adjustment of the angular relation between the supporting rod 10 and the clamp 1. lVith a view towards this purpose, means, comprising a clevis 14 having integral cam members and 16, is provided for connecting the clamp 1 and supporting rod 10 together in a flexible and adjustable manner.

Since the clamp 1 must be pivotally con{ nected to the supporting rod 10', the tie-bolt 12 is provided with an eye portion 17 which may be connected to the clevis 14- by means of a pin 18. A

As shown, the clevis 14 is of fork shape, having portions extending on the sides of the bolt 12 to form the cam members 15- and 16'. The cam members 15 and 16 are" disposed to engage the flat side portion of the clamp member 2 and, thereby, determine the angu;

lar relation between the clamp member 1 and the supporting rod 10; Since the distance between the side of the clamp member 2 and the pivotal'connection between the bolt 12 i and clevis' 14: may be varied by screwing the bolt inward-1y or outwardly, it is evident that the cam members 15 and- 16 may be caused to engage the clamp member 2 in whatever position may be desired. 7

It will be observed that'the shape of the cam members 15 and 16 is such as to effect a wedging action bet Weentl-iem and the side of the clamp member, 2 withwhich they are in engagement when a strain is exerted upon 1 the clamp due to the weightot the trolley conductor which tends to decrease the angle between the clamp and the supporting rod. However, in order to permita slight upward movement of the clamp 1, due to the force ex- 1, erted by a passing trolley or current, collector,

the cam members 15 and 16 are so shaped as to relieve the pressure between their bearing surfaces and the side of the clamp when the conductor and clamp are moved upwardly. It will readily be understood that this feature provides for a flexible connection between the eonductor and the messenger cable 9 which tends to relieve the strains in botlrthe cone ductor and conductor support and, at the same time, maintains the conductor clamp in theidesired vertical position;

It is evident that a conductor-support embodying the features of my invention is easily installed and readily, adjusted; After the clamping members 2 and 3 have been secured,

m'properposi'tion, to the trolley conductor l by means of thebolt 12,,thesupporting rod 10 maybe adjusted to the desired angular position with respect to the clamp, by screwingthe bolt inwardly or outwardly.

Sineg in the preferred embodiment of my invention which is shown in Figsl and 2, r the same bolt is utilized for adjusting'the member 'as for sefcuringthe clamp mem- T bers together, it is evident that a very simple and economical form of construction has been provided. However, in the case of a double-conductor clamp, such as is shown in Figs. 3 and l, it may be advisable to provide separate bolts for securing the clamp mem- 1.;A hanger for trolley conductorscomprising, in combination, a clamp torengaging a trolley conductor, a bolt extending through the clamp, a supporting rod pivotally connected to the bolt, and means on the end of the supportingrod to engage the side of the clamp, whereby therelative angular positions of the clamp and supporting rod may be varied by adjusting the bolt.

2. A hanger for trolley,conductors o'lnprising, in combination, a clamp forengaging a trolley conductor, a bolt extending through the clamp, a supporting rod pivotially connected to the bolt, and means on the end of the supporting rod to engage one side of the clamp to maintain a predetermined angular relation between the supporting rod and clamp, whereby said clamp is caused to set in a perpendicular position under all angular relations betweenit and the supporting rod. x

A hanger for trolley conductors comprising, in combination, a clamp for engaging a trolley conductor, an eye bolt extending through the clamp, a supporting rod pivotally connected to the eye bolt,-a cam provided on the end ofthe supporting member, said clamp having aface disposed to be en aged by the cam, said eye bolt being adjustable to move the cam relativeto the clamp face to change the relative angular. relations ofthe clamp and the supporting member.

1-. A hanger tortrolley conductors comprising, in combination, a clamp tor engaging a trolley conductor, a rod for supporting the conductor clamp from a point laterally V displaced from the vertical plane containing the conducton' a cam member secured to the endof the supporting rod and an eye bolt ex;- tending through the clamp and connected in pivotal relation to the cam member, said eye bolt being adjustable to actuate the cam member into engagement with th clamp member to vary the relative angular, relations of the clamp and the supporting rod.

- 5. A hanger for trolley conductors comprising, in combination, a messenger cable, clamp jaws for engaging the conductor, an eye bolt extending through the clamp jaws,

r a supporting rod for suspending the clamp jaws and conductor from the messenger cable, means forpivotally connectlng the supporting rod to the eye bolt, a cam on said connecting means, said clamp jaws having flat face portions to engage the cam, said eye bolt being adjustable to vary the distance between the pivotal connection and the flat face portion of the jaw to determine the point of engagement between the cam and said face portion, thereby to change the angular relation of the jaws and supporting member.

6. A hanger for trolley conductors comprising, in combination, a messenger cable, clamp jaws for engaging the conductor, an eye bolt extending through the clamp aws, a supporting rod for suspending the clamp jaws and the conductor from the messenger cable, means for pivotally connecting the supportingrod to the eye bolt, a cam on said connecting means, said clamp jaws having flat face portions to engage the cam, said eye bolt being in threaded engagement with one of said clamp jaws to retain the cam in a fixed Y predetermined engaging position relative to the side of the clamp jaw.

7. A hanger for trolley conductors comprising, in combination, a clamp for engaging a trolley conductor, an eye bolt extending through the clamp, said eye bolt being in threaded engagement with the clamp, a suspension member provided with a clevis se cured to the eye bolt to permit relative movements of the clamp and'suspension member in one plane, a cam on the clevis disposed to engage the side of the clamp, thereby to retain the clamp and suspension member in predetermined angular positions relative to one another during vertical movements of the clamp and the conductor.

8. A hanger for trolley conductors com-l pr1sing,1n combinatlon, a clamp for engaging I a trolley conductor, an eye boltextending through the clamp, a supporting rod for the ing a trolley conductor, an eye bolt extend ing through the clamp, a supporting rod for the clamp, a clevis for pivotally connecting c the supporting rod and the clamp, said clevis being provided with forked portions at the sides of the eye'bolt, the forked portions angular relationship between the clamp and the supporting rod.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of October, 1928.

WILLIAM SCHAAKE. I

;; clamp, a clevis for connecting the supporting rod to the eye bolt,v said clevis being provided comprising cammembers disposed to engage the side o't the clamp,said eye bolt being adjustable to control t-he'position of the cams with respect to the clamp and thereby the 

